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Pele prefers Lionel Messi to Cristiano Ronaldo

By Alex Butler
Brazilian footballer Pele. (UPI Photo/Rune Hellestad)
Brazilian footballer Pele. (UPI Photo/Rune Hellestad) | License Photo

KOLKATA, India, Oct. 12 (UPI) -- Brazilian soccer legend Pele thinks that Lionel Messi is a better player than Cristiano Ronaldo.

Messi beat out rival Ronaldo in August for the top UEFA award as Europe's best player.

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"But, of course, in the last ten years, Messi was the best player," Pele said at a press conference in India.

"Lot of people compare Messi with Ronaldo. But they are two different kind of players. Roanldo is more (of a) scorer...more (of a) center forward. Messi plays more deeper. But both are fantastic."

Messi is currently sidelined with a knee injury. In 2015, Messi has scored six goals in 10 appearances.

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Ronaldo has 10 goals in nine appearances. In 2014, Messi netted 65 goals and had 29 assists in 66 games while Ronaldo netted 61 goals and had 22 assists in 56 games.

Pele, 74, said former England player Bobby Moore was the best he has ever seen.

"People don't take much notice of defenders," Pele said. "To me the best was Bobby Moore. But over the last ten years without a doubt it is Messi."

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